“Kingston, Manuka, Weston, Curtin, Kambah, Calwell, Charnwood, Kaleen and Wanniassa will be the first of the 18 precincts to receive the new limit, with work to start this week. The new speed limits will be in place by April.

“Roads ACT began consultation with the community on the proposed precinct boundaries in November 2014. The community was invited to submit feedback through an online feedback form made available through the Time to Talk and TAMS websites as well as by writing to Roads ACT.

“Roads ACT received 274 responses through the online feedback form and 12 written submissions. The feedback received indicated there was majority support for the selected precincts,” Minister Gentleman said.

“Six months after the new limits are in place an evaluation involving feedback from the community as well as traffic surveys will be undertaken to determine their effectiveness in improving road safety.

“Research indicates that the introduction of a 40km/h speed area can significantly reduce the risk of death for vulnerable road users. For example, a 10km/h decrease in travelling speeds can reduce the risk of death for pedestrians and cyclists by over 50 percent.

“Traffic data, such the concentration of pedestrian activities, was used to determine the proposed boundaries for each precinct. The 18 precincts identified are each busy shopping centres so it is important we work to make sure they are as safe as possible, particularly for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. Implementing safer speed limits is a proven road safety measure, as identified in the National Road Safety Strategy and the ACT Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan,” Minister Gentleman concluded.

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